Sparking igniter for internal-combustion engines.



PATENTED JAN. 3, 1905.

H. DEVLIN. SPARKING IGNITER FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES.

KPPLIOATION TILED N014, 1903- INVENTOR: v A/i) 05/1/15 WITNESSESQ UNITED STATES Patented January 3, 1905.

PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY DEVLIN, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

SPARKING IGNITER FOR INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES- SPEOIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 779,207, dated January 3, 1905.

Application filed November 4, 1903. $erial No. 179,760-

To all whom, it "may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY DEvLIN, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of No. 5001 Lancaster avenue, in the city of Philadelphia, county of Philadelphia, and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Sparking Igniters for Internal-Combustion Engines, of which the following is a specification, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to means to be employed in an internal-combustion engine for effecting the periodic making and breaking of an electric circuit within the combustionchamber of such an engine, and specifically concerns the means employed for accurately timing and regulating the break and for securing the rapid parting of the electrodes when the break occurs.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure I is an elevation of an igniter embodying my invention; and Fig. II a broken section of the same, taken along the lines 2 2, Fig. I.

A is a shaft rotating in definite relation to the main shaft of the engine, which in the case of a four-cycle engine should rotate twice to each rotation of the shaft A;

B is an eccentric splined to shaft A.

O is the eccentric-strap, and D the eccentricrod. Upon the upper extremity of this rod is a head cl, to which is pivoted the trip-lever E. This lever is in the form of a bell-crank lever, having a horizontal tripping-arm e, pierced by an opening through which the head d projects freely, and a depending trig ger-arm 0, with a hook 3 upon its lower end. The trigger-arm is longer than and overbalances the tripping-arm, and therefore hangs vertically.

F is a slide-hammer with upper and lower horizontal members f f, both of which embrace and run freely upon the rod D. A slideblock Gr also runs freely upon the rod, lying between the members f f of the slide-hammer. A spiral spring g is interposed between the slide-block G and the lower member f of theslide-hammer. Another spiral spring, g, is interposed between the upper member f of the slide-hammer and the head A pair of arms h it are pivoted to the block G, one on either side, and are fast at their other ends to a rock-shaftJ. This shaft is journaled in a plate K, which is bolted on the side of the cylinder of the engine, the inner face of the plate being enlarged to form a plug k, which enters the combustion-chamber through a suitable aperture. In this way the inner face of the plug in forms part of the interior wall of the combustion-chamber. The end of rock-shaft J which projects within the inner face of the plug in has an arm 1', which forms a moving electrode.

L is a fixed electrode which passes, with interposition of suitable insulation. through the plate K and plug is. It is furnished on its outer end with suitable binding-nuts Z Z for connection with a wire connected to one pole of an electric circuit. The other pole is connected to the rock-shaft J either directly or through the cylinder or mountings of the engine. The inner end of the fixed electrode L presents aflat face on in proper angular relation to act as an opposing surface to the free end of the moving electrode j as it oscillates. The face m is fitted with a suitable contactpoint a in position to meet a similar contactpoint n of the adjacent face of the moving electrode 1'.

p is a stop to limit the play of the moving electrode 7' in the direction away from the fixed electrode L.

Q, is a bracket forming part of plate K and reaching out over the flat end of the horizontal arm 0 of the trip-lever E. The bracket is fitted with an internal thread with which engages a vertical screw-pin q, with its lower end over arm a of the trip-lever. The vertical position of this pin is adjustable by means of a collar R, which may be rotated by the arm 9-.

The operation of the device is as follows: The rotation of the engine effects a movement of the rod D, which, although it is an irregular oscillation upon the two centers A and J, is virtually a motion of vertical reciprocation and may be so treated in describing it. As the rod ascends the trip-lever E attached to it engages, by reason of the triggerhook a, with the lower edge of the slide-hammer F, which is thereby raised and which in turn advances the slide-block G under the pressure of the spiral spring 9, thereby raising the ends of the arms it h and rocking the shaft J until the contact-point on the electrode ,7' touches the similar point on the electrode L. Further movement of the rock-shaft in this direction being thereby checked, the slideblock Gr remains stationary, while the rod D advances, through it compressing spring g. This continues until the horizontal arm (2 of the trip-lever E comes into contact with the lower end of pin q. When this occurs, the lever is tripped, so that the hook on its lower end is disengaged from the slide-hammer F, which is thereupon driven down the rod under the pressure of the spring g. In the course of its descent the upper horizontal member f of the slide-hammer meets the slide-block G and striking it a downward blow effects the instantaneous severance of the electrical contact points which have been mentioned. As this movement continues the rock-shaft J is turned until the back of the electrode 7 comes in contact with the stop 9. In the meantime the rod D has reversed and is descending. This allows the vertical arm of the trip-lever to take its vertical position, and as the slide hammer F can no further descend after the electrode 7' touches the stop the spring 9 is compressed between the head of the rod and the top of the slide-hammer until the trigger-hook has passed below the lower arm of the slide-hammer, reaching the position of the drawings where it is ready to reengage it upon the commencement of the reverse reciprocation, when the operation repeatsitself. In this way there is secured an accurately-adjustable point by which the breaking of the electrical circuit is determined, for the slightest vertical adjustment of the pin (1 correspondingly varies the relation of the breaking of the circuit to the cycle of the engine. There is also obtained the sudden break which results from the hammer-like action of the slide-hammer F, which drives the contact-points apart under the influence of an impact upon the slide-block Gr, thus effecting a much more effective spark as a result of the break than in those devices which rely upon a more gradual separation of the contact-points.

Having thus described my invention, I claim 1. In an internal-combustion engine an igniter comprising a reciprocating rod; a slideblock running on the rod; a fixed electrode projecting within the combustion-chamber; a rock-shaft also projecting within the combustion-chamber; a moving electrode on the rockshaft within the combustion-chamber; an arm pivoted to the slide-block and fast to the rockshaft whereby movement of the slide-block along the rod rocks the shaft, and thereby makes and breaks the electric circuit; a triggerarm pivoted to the reciprocating rod which, when moving in one direction, advances the slide-block until contact of the electrodes is effected; means for thereafter tripping said trigger so as to free the slideblock from it; and a spring whereby the slideblock is upon such release driven in the opposite direction and the electrodes separated, substantially as described.

2. In an internal-combustion engine, an igniter comprising fixed and movable electrodes within the combustion-chamber; a rock-shaft controlling the movable electrode; a reciprocating rod; a slide-block running on the rod; an arm pivoted to the slide-block and fast to the rock-shaft; a trigger-arm pivoted to the reciprocating rod, which, when moving in one direction, engages and carries with it the slideblock, thereby rocking the shaft and closing the circuit; means for tripping said triggerarm at a definitely-determined point whereby the slide-block is freed; and, a spring whereby the slide-block when free is driven in the opposite direction and the circuit broken, substantially as described.

3. In an internal-combustion engine, an igniter comprising a rock-shaft extending within the combustion-chamber; electrical connections which are made or broken by the rocking of said shaft; areciprocating rod; a slide-block running on the rod; an arm pivoted to the slide-block and fast to the rock-shaft whereby the movement of the slideblock along the rod makes or breaks the electric circuit; a bell-crank lever pivoted to the reciprocating rod having a longitudinal arm, and a depending vertical trigger-arm which, when moving in one direction, effects an engagement which moves the slide-block and carries it with it to close the circuit; an adjustable pin into contact with which the horizontal arm is brought by the further movement of the reciprocating rod, whereby the trigger-arm is released from the slide-block; and a spring whereby the slide-block is thereupon driven in the opposite direction and the circuit broken, substantially as described.

4. In an internal-combustion engine, an igniter comprising fixed and movable electrodes within the combustion-chamber; arock-shaft controlling the movable electrode; a reciprocating rod; aslide-block running on the rod; pivotal connections whereby movement of the slide-block along the rod rocks the shaft, and makes or breaks the circuit; another sliding piece running on the rod, with interposition of a coiled spring between it and the slide-block; a trigger-arm pivoted to the reciprocating rod which when moving in one direction engages said sliding piece and thereby, through compression of the interposed spring, moves the slide-block, and rocks the shaft to make the circuit; means for trippingsaid trigger-arm at a definitely-determined point whereby it is disengaged from the sliding piece; and a spring whereby, when the "trigger-arm is thus tripped, the slide-block is driven in the opposite direction and the circuit broken, substantially as described.

5. In an internal-combustion engine, an igniter comprising a rock-shaft extending within the combustion-chamber; electrical connections which are made or broken by the rocking of said shaft; a reciprocating rod; a slide-block running on the rod; pivoted connections whereby the movement of the slideblock coincident with the rod, rocks the shaft and thereby makes or breaks the electric circuit; a trigger-arm pivoted to the reciprocating rod; a slide-hammer running on the rod with members on either side of the slide-block; a spiral spring interposed between the slideblock and one of said members; a spiral spring interposed between the other of said menbers, and the head of the reciprocating rod; a trigger-arm pivoted to the head of the reciprocating rod which, when moving in one direction engages the slide-hammer thereby compelling the slide-block to move in that direction until the electrical circuit is closed; and a tripping device whereby further movement in this direction trips the trigger, whereby the slide-hammer,carrying with it the slide-block, is driven in the opposite direction under the compression force of the spring interposed between the slide-hammer and the head of the reciprocating rod, substantially as described.

6. In an internal-combustion engine, an igniter comprising a fixed and a movable electrode within the combustion-chamber; a rockshai't by the motion of which the making or breaking of the contact of the electrodes is efi'ected; a reciprocating rod, a slide-block on said rod; an arm on the rock-shaft pivoted to said slide-block; a slide-hammer also running on the rod with members on either side of the slide-block; a spring interposed between the slide-block and one of the members of the slide-hammer; asecond spring interposed between the other member of the slide-hammer and the head of the rod; a trigger-arm pivoted to the head of the rod which when moving in one direction engages the slide-hammer; and adjustable tripping means whereby, upon contact of the electrodes being effected, the trigger is tripped and movement of the slide-block in the opposite direction under the influence of the second spring is permitted, substantially as described.

7. In an internal-combustion engine, an igniter comprising a fixed electrode within the combustion-chamber; a rock-shaft of opposite polarity from said electrode also extending within the combustion-chamber; a finger on said rock-shaft which by its motion makes and breaks an electric circuit which includes the other electrode; a slide-block pivoted to the free end of said arm; a reciprocating rod passing through the slide-block; a slide-hammer with two members running upon said reciprocating rod, one member upon either side of the slide-block; a spring interposed between one member of the slide-ham mer and the slideblock; a bell-crank lever pivoted to the head of the reciprocating rod one arm of which forms a trigger which engages the slide-hammer, when moving in one direction, thereby effecting the making of the electrical circuit; an adjustable stop which engages the other arm of said bell-crank lever and trips the trigger after motion in the direction to make the circuit has sufficiently continued; a compression-spring interposed between the slide-block and the other member of the slide-hammer,

whereby when the trigger is tripped the slideblock is driven in the opposite direction under the compression force of said second spring, thereby breaking the electrical circuit; and a stop whereby movement of the rock-shaft in this latter direction is limited, whereby the return reciprocation of the rod again compresses the first-named spring, substantially as described.

In witness whereof I have signed my name to this specification, this 3d day of November, A. D. 1903, in the presence of two subscribmg witnesses.

HENRY DEVLIN.

Witnesses:

JAMES H. BELL, M. K. TRUMBORE. 

